Theodore Shulman, a pro-choice activist who in 2010 threatened to kill several pro-life leaders, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison.

Shulman, 51, pleaded guilty in May to one count of transmitting a threat to injure another person. The targeted victims named in the case are Father Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, and Princeton University’s Robert George.

In January 2010, as the trial of Scott Roeder, a man accused of killing abortionist George Tiller, was under way, Shulman posted a comment on the news site First Things, threatening that “if Roeder is acquitted, someone will respond by killing” Father Pavone and Mr. George.

Certainly, there is a line of free speech and threatening speech. Perhaps the most compelling words from this story came from U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara:

The vibrant exchange of ideas that is a hallmark of our society does not include threats. As Theodore Shulman’s sentence makes clear, advocating one’s point of view through threats of violence is illegal conduct that will be punished.

As I have noted before, people seem to think free speech includes just about anything. It’s amazing how many say things online that they would never say to anyone’s face.

Have you ever been on the receiving end of attacks or threatening language online? If so, what happened?